Henderson has high hopes as annexation day nears

By Mike Trask

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006 | 7:17 a.m.

Clearing the way for what some hope one day becomes a sort of Strip before the Strip filled with massive casinos and resorts, Henderson on Monday will officially take over a three-quarter mile section of Las Vegas Boulevard South.

The annexation, which follows more than two years of negotiation and at-times caustic debate with Clark County officials, will bring more than 5 square miles south of St. Rose Parkway and east of Interstate 15 into the growing city of about 250,000.

At a public hearing last month no one spoke against the annexation, making next week's council vote little more than a formality.

Clark County officials did not want to give up control of the south end of the resort corridor, and also worried that the annexation - Henderson's largest since it assumed control of 5,473 acres in 2000 - could allow development to move toward the proposed Ivanpah airport.

"It does make sense for it to be in the city because it has the closest services," Henderson Councilman Andy Hafen said. Eventually, the Bureau of Land Management agreed.

The land to be annexed, which includes about 700 acres between the Inspirada master-planned community and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, is under the control of the federal government.

As part of a deal reached with the BLM in August, Henderson agreed not to seek land that has not been marked for auction or land within 800 feet of the I-15 right of way.

Today, the soon-to-be city land looks more like a section of dusty desert than a possible new Strip. The only buildings at the corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard South are part of a small plaza that includes an Arco gas station, a Jack in the Box restaurant and the Last Call Tavern.

City officials, however, are quick to note that the Las Vegas Strip once looked the same way. One day, they hope, some of the bright lights, billions of dollars and millions of tourists now found there will be situated at a new southern entrance to Henderson lined with glitzy casinos and hotels. If that rosy scenario becomes reality, it will tempt tourists, especially those driving in from California and other points west, to linger - eight miles before the famous lights of the Las Vegas Strip come into view.

"The biggest thing is the economic growth," Hafen said of city officials' hopes for the future.

The early prognosis is promising, because billions of dollars already have been invested or proposed in the area.

Anthony Marnell III is building the $1.8 billion M Resort there. Across the street, Gary Goett has proposed the $2 billion Southern Highlands Resort.

Those are expected to complement South Point, formerly South Coast, which opened farther north on Las Vegas Boulevard South last year.

The annexation also will allow Henderson to pursue opportunities to expand the city's boundaries south to Jean. County officials, who have been wary of the city moving too far south, likely will keep a close eye on any such plans.

The annexation will be the second this year for Henderson, which in January took over 1,362 acres near the Basic Management Inc. site northeast of Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Parkway.